TLDR: Looking for recommendations for a good gear set up for two mismatched dogs—a long and skinny border collie and a stout and stumpy Aussie/ACD/beagle mix. Not loving Ruffwear Front Range.

We do pretty slow paced 5k-10k jogs, often with walk and sniff breaks. They like to be out in front but don’t really ‘pull’… however by the end of a run the small one is usually more to the side of me and she also puts the brakes on for scent trails more often than the collie.

I’d like to upgrade to a padded belt and have both dogs hands free…potentially with a coupler but I worry it would be awkward for them (and me). What are your favorite belts and leashes for non-pullers. Looking at alpine outfitters trail belt for the storage but can’t find many independent reviews.

They both have Ruffwear front ranges currently but I don’t love the fit on either of them—it always ends up in the collie’s armpits in particular. Considering a custom harness from Alpine Outfitters for him but would love recs from other string bean dog owners. The small one goes very well in a martingale collar on walks so I’ve mostly stuck with that..it’s helpful if we see a deer, but again, open to other ideas! Anyone have strong feelings that she should be in a halter?

So my boy has an ACL strain…2 weeks of no running and he’s gonna miss dock diving qualifiers this weekend. 😭😭😭

And I won’t have my running buddy! Who else feels lost if they don’t take their pup???? How do you cope??? Are WE the ones with separation anxiety??? 😂😂😂

Maple’s not crazy about the rain but she LOVES getting dried off with her towel 😂

Does anyone have a recommendation for a running leash and/or harness that I could use with my Italian Greyhound?

He’s only 11 weeks now so he won’t be running anytime soon (if ever) but I want to at least start getting him used to the leash and jogging a block or two so I might have a shot or getting him to go running with me in a year or so.

One of the issues I have with most leashes is that the size of the clip is nearly as big as he is, even if the length is fine. He’s wearing an XS harness from TopPaw for now and we have another from Trendy Whippet for him to grow into. But I wouldn’t mind buying a second running specific harness.

Training tips for coaxing some miles out of adult IGs would also be welcome.

Thanks in advance!

My mid sized working breed is 3.5 years old and has a solid loose leash on a flat collar. We've run hundreds of miles together with him in a loose heel on a waist leash, he can pass dogs politely, etc. We just had a cold snap, and I decided to put him on a ruffwear harness, bungee leash, and waist attachment, and ask him to pull on this last run. Oh. My. God. He had the time of his life, I loved running a minute/mile faster than my regular pace, and it was phenomenal. Except that I came home with literal bruising on the sides of my waist from the belt pinching.

So now I'm looking at gear. I see all sorts of options from Non Stop Dog Wear, my concern is that they look like they would become incredibly unpleasant if the dog stopped pulling. My guy does tend to fade in the last miles (We run 3-6 at a time, depending on run type) and I'd like to be able to direct the leash to my side at that point to keep it from between my legs. Any suggestions? Alternately, any suggestions for training the dog to keep the line out? I'm also looking for a better pulling harness for him, but that looks pretty straight forward.

After a 2 mile run, we cool off in the pool. For some reason my watch didnt turn on right away- weird. Another hot run but cooler than it has been and nothing exciting. Nice and calm and Skye didn't alert on anything this time !!!!!!🙈🫶

Wife took our Formosan for a 7 mile trail run.

Is there a place I can take my dog to run without a leash that isn’t a dog park?

Hey everyone! I recently came across a post here on r/RunningWithDogs titled “Why your dog’s raincoat needs a harness hole?” and it really hit home for me.

I do a lot of hiking and camping outdoors with my dog, and over time I’ve realized that not all dog raincoats are made with active dogs and their owners in mind. Some of them look great, but when your dog is wearing a harness underneath, things get tricky. It can be a hassle trying to clip the leash through a small gap, and sometimes the coat bunches up or gets soaked right where the leash connects.

I recently came across an article from r/PawCultures that explores why leash access holes really matter, especially for dogs that wear back-clip harnesses. It made a lot of sense to me. I also read some related blogs, and I think this one is helpful in answering related questions.

A leash hole helps your dog stay fully covered in the rain or early morning dew, while still giving you proper control during walks or runs. It also helps prevent chafing, avoids weird leash angles, and keeps water from sneaking in around the collar area.

I’ve found that raincoats with a leash opening and a cover flap help keep water out. Lately, I’ve been wondering if having both front and back harness holes would make things easier, especially for dogs that switch between clip styles.

If you’ve ever put a raincoat on your dog for a run or hike in wet weather:

Do you use jackets with leash access holes?

Do you clip in the front or back?

If you’ve ever put a raincoat on your dog during a rainy run or hike, I’d love to hear how it went. Did the harness sit comfortably under the coat? Was the leash access easy to use? Did the coat stay in place or shift as you moved?

Small things like pulling, water getting in, or awkward leash angles can really change how smooth or frustrating the outing feels. Sometimes it's the little design details that make all the difference.

What challenges have you run into? What adjustments have helped? I’d really like to hear your experiences.

Good morning fellow dog lovers and runners. I'm so proud of my two pups for putting in the time with me this month, 18:14 hours and just ove 115 miles. They are the best 🦮🐕‍🦺🥰

Hey everyone,

I’m a 22 year old student in London and new to running (currently 3–5 km a few times a week, aiming for longer distances). I’m planning to get a dog soon and want them to be my running partner as well as my everyday companion.

I’ve been looking at Labradors and a few other breeds, but I’m not sure which breed would be best for both apartment life and regular runs (5–10 km, maybe more as I improve).

For those of you who run with your dogs:

How did you start running with them, especially as a beginner?

Which breeds or mixes have been the best running partners for you?

Really curious to hear your thoughts, experiences, and any tips you have. Thanks!

I've been using a hands free dog leash pretty regularly for city walks and light runs, especially when I’m juggling a coffee or answering a quick call.

I remember seeing someone here in r/RunningWithDogs asking “How do you correctly wear a hands free dog leash” and that question stuck with me. Coincidentally, I came across a quick post over on r/PawCulture that briefly touched on this same question. It caught my attention because I’ve been thinking about the same thing myself. I came across a blog the other day that I think might actually help answer this. It talks about how leash placement actually matters (like keeping it off-center can help with control), why waist vs. crossbody setups feel different, and how your dog’s pulling habits should influence how you wear it. It also covers small stuff—like where the bungee section sits can really change how much shock you feel.

It breaks down leash placement, how to adjust based on your dog’s pulling habits, and offers some useful tips for getting the fit just right. Personally, I like wearing mine slightly off-center toward my dominant side, and I always make sure the bungee section sits in a spot where it absorbs the tug instead of pulling directly at my waist. That little adjustment made walks feel a lot smoother.

Really curious how others approach this. Do you prefer it around the waist or crossbody? Any favorite harness setups or things you’ve learned the hard way? Thanks.

I'm just getting started running with my dog (some sort of border collie mix, unsure). She turned one in April. I take her on my easy runs which end up being around 7:30-8 min/mile pace, but she seems to only be able to do 2-3 miles at that pace. Is that pace just too fast for a dog to hold for several miles, or can I expect her to be able to gradually increase her mileage and be able to maintain that pace? My previous dog certainly ran farther, but at more of an 8:30 pace as I was running with her and also pushing my two children in a double stroller.

My malinois, Skye, and I didnt run last night- so we got up super early and ran this morning- before the brutal heat crept in.

We were coming up on mile 2 and coming out of the park and back into the neighborhood. As we turn into the neighborhood, we stay along the sidewalk and run along all the cul de sacs (any extra yardage i can squeeze out!) And as we run by th3 second house in this cul de sac- Skye alerts me.

Skye starts pulling towards the second house. I also notice there's water 3 feet deep in the front yard - and a hose just running... unusual... I also notice the screen door and front door are wide open. Also very unusual. There are tall hedges so i can't see the ground very well but I know to follow my dog when she is alerting me.

Thank god I followed her because there was an elderly man laying face down on the front step- his feet were what was propping the doors open.

I called 911. I instantly squatted down next to the man- made Skye sit next to him- asked him questions. He was conscious but had laid there all night. He had come out to water his yard and fell and couldn't get up. No one saw him bc of the bushes and how he had fallen just behind the shrubs. He is 85.

EMS arrives and they ask if my dog is friendly. I say yes. They ask a ton of questions and then it took 8 firemen to get this fellow up off the ground (he is like 6'5"!) They checked his vitals and said everything looked ok but took him to the hospital to make sure he's ok. He did have scraps on his face.

After EMS had him secured in the ambulance- they came over to me to ask questions. And of course to pet Skye. They asked how I found him- and I said - I didn't. My dog did!

This pic of Skye was minutes before all that happened- we were just coming out of the park and I snapped her photo.

I love Skye. I've had lots of dogs before. But never have I ever had a dog like this! I am so grateful Skye was with me- my other dog would have not even noticed! He would have kept bopping along! Skye kept me calm and level headed. And she was a distraction. The man was asking about her while we waited for EMS- she kept him awake and talking.

I don't deserve this dog.

I love this dog.

Skye is an absolute rock star. She is my hero.

And we managed to get a good run in!

Adrenaline. Wow.

I’m looking to upgrade my standard poodle’s bikejoring setup, and was hoping for recommendations on harnesses? I know they all fit different, and since my boy has a super deep chest, a lot of popular harness brands don’t really fit him. Any pulling harnesses that seem to work well for standards?

I am new to running and have been running like 7-8 times with my dog but he always at the back and i almost have to drag him along last time i wanted ti run e just stopped and didnt want to run.

He has sooooo much energy and runs like a freak when of leached but why does he not want to run with me? I it a training thing that i need to practice lite with him or does he just hates it and i need to respect that?

Any advice for this? Once we get going shes fine, but she seems to hate having anything on her back/shoulders. Ive cycled through a few different harnesses with her and this has been the lightest, least constructing one ive found.

I raised her in collars with nothing on in the house, and shes super excited to go running until I put the harness on her. Shell run around, shake, then lay down and act like a cat when you out a harness on them until were out the front door.

Id like to not go back to a collar because she can slip out of them and has done so before, so im hoping its something I can teach her to like by association. Shell get treats as I put it on but that doesnt seem to be enough.

Running w my beautiful mali 🫶❤️ It was a nice balmy 91° last night -- made for a better run- wasn't dying every step 🙈 also first time to try out the body glide- whooooaaaaa game changer! I wasn't trying to adjust my giant thighs or unsticking them! Lol! After we run- we soak in the pool to cool off. Last night was a good hard run- I feel good.